Welcome

You know the story well: every day we hear that the Arts and Humanities are in crisis. You have probably heard all of the arguments: our majors are unemployable and make little money; our departments and programs are too costly and pay back too little; and our research is frivolous and a waste of taxpayer’s money. This website hopes to shed some perspective on these remarks, not only through the words of artists and humanists who provide examples and insight into the life-long benefits of our teachings, but also through the experience and perspective of employers and leaders from fields as varied as engineering, biology, nanotechnology, social work, business administration, economics, environmental studies, entrepreneurship, physics, government or medicine. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that an education in the arts and humanities -- from kindergarten to higher education and beyond -- has concrete benefits to individual lives and careers and on global economic competitiveness, advancements in innovation and discovery of new knowledge, and civic engagement and responsibility.

By providing concrete examples of how humanistic studies support, enrich and innovate a variety of workplace environments, my hope is that we will gain a better understanding of why it is important to educate ourselves and support our youth in the learning of art, language, literature, history, religion, film, or theater, among other valuable fields. And while I could reiterate what is usually said: that these fields contribute to students' skills in critical and analytical thinking, creativity, communication, global cultural awareness, foreign language competency, logic, historical understanding, argumentation and problem solving, this project attempts to translate these arguments into concrete examples. How do the skills and how does the content one learns in a literature class translate into success in life and work? How can the study of a field like Philosophy, for instance, help an individual change, grow, and contribute in significant ways? Why should the arts and humanities matter to any person, not only for their careers, but also for a better understanding of their life's worth and purpose? What new knowledge do the arts and humanities bring to any board room table?

An education and appreciation of the arts and humanities are a beginning to a never ending life story. For this reason, I would like to start where many have already begun: by dialoguing with those innovators whose backgrounds in the arts and humanities have influenced how they think deeply and differently, how they communicate, build, sense, delight, change, and make meaningful marks on our worlds. It is not apart, but together that we can build a future of educated creators and deep and responsible thinkers who can put themselves in the shoes of the other, who can activate new digital media technologies to positively affect human life, and who can always live up to high ethical standards in all professional fields. If we continue to support and provide our children with skills from both the sciences and the arts, technology and communication, we will be able to lift their hearts and minds to soar through time and space, through dance, light, song, and paint. If we don't, I am absolutely certain that our children will one day wake up and find beauty, delight, color and depth blurred in their worlds. And they will ask us to explain why.

Please explore this site, add and comment on how humanistic studies can or have influenced your lives and career paths through concrete examples or other material. I welcome you to read and contribute, add your ideas and impressions to the blog and comment boxes, send me your words of wisdom, experience, and criticism, or make suggestions and recommendations.

Please know that the building of this project is in its infancy, and it will eventually include more material, quotes, direct interviews, videos, commentaries, interviews,, international perspectives, short outtakes from the millennials, and who knows, it may also morph into a book.